Agenda and minutes
PDF 270 KBVenue: Roding Valley High School, Brook Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 3JA
Contact: Gary Woodhall (The Office of the Chief Executive) Tel: 01992 564470 Email: democraticservices@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
Media
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Webcasting Introduction 1. This meeting is to be webcast;
2. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking; and
3. the Chairman will read the following announcement:
“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing (or another use by such third parties).
If you are seated in the public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.
This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should speak the webcasting officer.” Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman made a short address to remind all present that the meeting would be broadcast on the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings. |
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Welcome and Introduction Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and outlined the procedures and arrangements adopted by the Council to enable persons to address the Sub-Committee, in relation to the determination of applications for planning permission. |
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To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee. Additional documents: Minutes: Resolved:
(1) That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2014 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. |
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Declarations of Interest (Assistant to the Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on this agenda. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of interest pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct. |
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Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs 6 and 25 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.
In accordance with Operational Standing Order 6 (non-executive bodies), any item raised by a non-member shall require the support of a member of the Committee concerned and the Chairman of that Committee. Two weeks' notice of non-urgent items is required. Additional documents: Minutes: At the request of the Chairman, the Democratic Services Officer advised the Sub-Committee of the circumstances when a planning application could be referred to the District Development Control Committee, which were:
(i) if the proposal for approval was contrary to the Council’s agreed planning policy;
(ii) if, having made a decision to grant or refuse, a minimum of four Members of the Sub-Committee stood to refer the matter on a minority reference, thus holding the decision over until the next meeting of the District Development Control Committee; or
(iii) if during the debate a proposal to refer the application directly to the District Development Control Committee without recommendation was moved, seconded and passed by a majority vote. |
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(Director of Planning and Economic Development) To consider planning applications as set out in the attached schedule
Background Papers: (i) Applications for determination – applications listed on the schedule, letters of representation received regarding the applications which are summarised on the schedule. (ii) Enforcement of Planning Control – the reports of officers inspecting the properties listed on the schedule in respect of which consideration is to be given to the enforcement of planning control. Additional documents: Minutes: The Sub-Committee considered a schedule of applications for planning permission.
Resolved:
(1) That the planning applications numbered 1 – 8 be determined as set out in the attached schedule to these minutes. |
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Confirmation of Tree Preservation Order EPF/25/13 - 1 Burney Drive, Loughton, Essex. Additional documents: Minutes: The Principal Planning Officer introduced a report concerning the confirmation of a Tree Preservation Order at 1 Burney Drive in Loughton.
The Principal Planning Officer stated that Tree Preservation Order EPF/25/13 had been made to protect an oak tree in the rear garden of the property as information had been received it was under threat of being felled. An objection to this order had been received from the resident at 1 Burney Drive, whom it transpired was a tenant as the property was owned by the Council. Therefore, the Director of Housing (as was, now Communities) was served with the Order but the objection from the tenant still stood for consideration.
The Officer reported the grounds of the objection made by the Tenant:
(i) the tree provided no public amenity as it was situated in a private garden;
(ii) the tree was considered to be a hazard to the tenant and her family and the property itself, and prevented full use being made of the rear garden by the occupants;
(iii) the tree shielded the rear rooms of the property and the garden from sunlight, which made it almost impossible to grow anything in the back garden; and
(iv) the Council had already agreed to fell the tree as a hazard to the property and the tenant had expected this work to be completed during the autumn of 2013.
The Objector had taken legal advice but was optimistic that the situation could be resolved without resorting to legal action.
The comments of the Assistant Director of Governance (Development Control) in response to the objection were as follows:
(a) it was a large tree which could be widely seen from adjacent roads and therefore had sufficient public amenity to be the subject of a Tree Preservation Order;
(b) upon inspection it was found to have the characteristics of a veteran Oak tree and therefore deserved to have every effort made to retain it;
(c) the retention of this tree would be in accordance with the Community Tree Strategy for Loughton;
(d) there was no clear current risk of structural failure and nor could the tree be considered as an immediate hazard; and
(e) work to reduce the crown would be a sensible precaution and removing the deadwood in the crown as well as the reduction of the extended branches would improve the access of sunlight to the house and garden.
The Director of Communities had raised no objection to the confirmation of the Order, and there was currently no justification for the felling of the tree, therefore it was recommended that the Tree Preservation Order be confirmed without modification.
The Principal Planning Officer added that the Tree Preservation Order would lapse if it was not confirmed at tonight’s meeting, and apologised to the Objector as they had not been initially informed that the Order would be considered at tonight’s meeting.
A local Member for Chigwell Village commented that the Objector had been told by Housing Officers that the tree would be ... view the full minutes text for item 82. |
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Delegated Decisions (Director of Planning and Economic Development) Schedules of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning and Economic Development under delegated powers since the last meeting of a Plans Subcommittee may be inspected in the Members Room or at the Planning and Economic Development Information Desk at the Civic Offices, Epping. Additional documents: Minutes: The Sub-Committee noted that schedules of planning applications determined by the Director of Governance under delegated authority since the last meeting had been circulated and could be inspected at the Civic Offices. |